Having fun doesn’t always have to be expensive. In fact, there are plenty of free things to do in Pennsylvania; we’re talking about really fun, bucket-list-worthy attractions that you can visit when you’re looking for something to do but don’t want to spend a lot of money. You can’t place any worldly value on fun, and for our purposes today, it’s priceless. Here are some unique, entertaining, and free things to do in Pennsylvania that won’t cost you a dime.

  1. Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Easton

Weyerbacher Brewing/Facebook (Editor’s Note: Weyerbacher Brewing Company is not currently offering tours due to COVID-19. Please check the brewery’s Facebook page or website for updates.) Visit the brewery on Saturdays or Sundays to receive a free 30-minute tour of the facilities and hear stories about Weyerbacher’s history and the process of making beer. Click here to learn more about the Weyerbacher Brewing Company.

  1. State Parks

Bob/Flickr When it comes to free things to do in Pennsylvania, our state parks are awesome. Pennsylvania has 121 state parks that offer stunning views, peaceful hiking terrain, and a plenitude of wildlife. No matter where you are in Pennsylvania, a state park is not very far away. Click here to learn more about the Pennsylvania’s state parks.

  1. Dutch Haven, Lancaster

Tony Fischer/Flickr This is the place where “shoofly pie” became famous. Tour the bakery, gift store, and furniture shop to really explore Amish culture. While you’re in the area, you might as well stop at Bird-in-Hand Farmer’s Market. Visit the Dutch Haven website for more information.

  1. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Elverson

Doug Kerr/Flickr (Editor’s Note: Hopewell Furnace is not currently offering tours due to COVID-19. In the meantime, check for updates and take a virtual tour on the website.) Steel and Iron were once integral parts of Pennsylvania’s economy. During the 19th century, Hopewell Furnace was one of many iron plantations thoroughout the country that produced iron, shutting down in 1883 and becoming an important historic landmark. Click here to learn more about Hopewell Furnace.

  1. Antiques Capital USA, Adamstown

Dave/Flickr Adamstown is considered by many to be the single best spot in the country for antiquing, with over 5,000 antiques dealers along a 7-mile route. You could spend days looking at all the antiques! Visit the webpage to learn more about Adamstown.

  1. Peddler’s Village, Lahaska

Peddler’s Village / Visit Philadelphia If you are looking for family-friendly places in Pennsylvania, visit Peddler’s Village, a development consisting of shops, a family entertainment center, and a vintage carousel. Numerous festivals take place throughout the year that all have free admission. Click here to learn more about Peddler’s Village.

  1. Covered Bridge Tour, Bucks County

Doug Kerr/Flickr Pennsylvania is known for many things, though debatably, the covered bridge is the most iconic. There are a variety of covered bridge tours available for download that will offer you driving directions as well as plenty of information and fun facts about all of the sights along the way. Click here for a self-guided covered bridges driving tour in Buck County.

  1. Martin Guitar Factory and Museum, Nazareth

Alex Harden/Flickr (Editor’s Note: Martin Guitar Factory is not currently offering tours due to Covid-19. In the meantime, check for updates on the website.) At no charge, take a tour of the factory where these beautiful musical instruments are manufactured and browse of a fascinating museum of guitars. Visit the Martin Guitar website for more information.

  1. Lil’-Le-Hi Trout Nursery, Allentown

Allie_Caulfield/Flickr Every year, hundreds of fishermen catch trout from the Little Lehigh River, but you might not have thought about where they come from. The fish hatchery in Allentown hatches and raises trout to be released into the river. Use the signage for a self-guided tour. Walk around the facility and gawk at the fish, or admire the taxidermy collection in the office building. Click here to learn more about the Lil’-Le-Hi Trout Nursery.

  1. Moravian Book Shop, Bethlehem

Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem/Facebook Moravian Book Shop is not only the oldest continuously running book shop in the world, but it is also massive and definitely worth a visit, whether you’re a book-lover or not. Click here for a more information on the Moravian Book Shop.

  1. Giant Coffee Pot, Bedford

“TheCoffeePot” by Jeff Kubina from Columbia, Maryland - The Coffee Pot (Bedford, Pennsylvania)Uploaded by kubina. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons This gigantic coffee pot, known as the Koontz Coffee Pot, has more history behind it than you may think. It was built in 1927 and has decorated the landscape of Bedford in one form or another since then.

  1. Frick Art and Historical Center, Pittsburgh

“FrickMansionClayton” by Lee Paxton (Original uploader was Leepaxton at en.wikipedia) - Photo by Lee PaxtonTransferred from en.wikipedia(Original text : self-made). Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons The restored Clayton Mansion, the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, and the Greenhouse are all the legacy of Henry Clay Frick, a famous industrialist and art collector. Even better, admission to the complex of museums is free. Visit The Frick Pittsburgh website for more information.

  1. Independence Hall, Philadelphia

Michael Righi/Flickr The iconic Independence Hall is open to the public, as is the Liberty Bell which is housed next door. Click here for more information on visiting Philadelphia’s Independence Hall.

  1. Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site, Philadelphia

kaige/Flickr (Editor’s Note: Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site is not currently offering tours due to COVID-19. In the meantime, check for updates on the website.) Tour the house where America’s most popular gothic author resided and wrote. Visit the Edgar Allen Poe Historic Site webpage for more information.

  1. Zippo Lighter and Case Museum, Bradford

Hector Rodriguez/Flickr Everyone knows that Zippo is the premiere manufacturer of lighters. Explore their expansive museum of lighters and case knives that includes exhibitions about Zippo’s contributions to WWII and about Zippo lighters in Hollywood. Visit the Zippo/Case Museum website for more information.

If only all good things in life came for free. What are some of your favorite free things to do in Pennsylvania? Share them in the comments below!

Weyerbacher Brewing/Facebook

(Editor’s Note: Weyerbacher Brewing Company is not currently offering tours due to COVID-19. Please check the brewery’s Facebook page or website for updates.) Visit the brewery on Saturdays or Sundays to receive a free 30-minute tour of the facilities and hear stories about Weyerbacher’s history and the process of making beer. Click here to learn more about the Weyerbacher Brewing Company.

Bob/Flickr

When it comes to free things to do in Pennsylvania, our state parks are awesome. Pennsylvania has 121 state parks that offer stunning views, peaceful hiking terrain, and a plenitude of wildlife. No matter where you are in Pennsylvania, a state park is not very far away. Click here to learn more about the Pennsylvania’s state parks.

Tony Fischer/Flickr

This is the place where “shoofly pie” became famous. Tour the bakery, gift store, and furniture shop to really explore Amish culture. While you’re in the area, you might as well stop at Bird-in-Hand Farmer’s Market. Visit the Dutch Haven website for more information.

Doug Kerr/Flickr

(Editor’s Note: Hopewell Furnace is not currently offering tours due to COVID-19. In the meantime, check for updates and take a virtual tour on the website.) Steel and Iron were once integral parts of Pennsylvania’s economy. During the 19th century, Hopewell Furnace was one of many iron plantations thoroughout the country that produced iron, shutting down in 1883 and becoming an important historic landmark. Click here to learn more about Hopewell Furnace.

Dave/Flickr

Adamstown is considered by many to be the single best spot in the country for antiquing, with over 5,000 antiques dealers along a 7-mile route. You could spend days looking at all the antiques! Visit the webpage to learn more about Adamstown.

Peddler’s Village / Visit Philadelphia

If you are looking for family-friendly places in Pennsylvania, visit Peddler’s Village, a development consisting of shops, a family entertainment center, and a vintage carousel. Numerous festivals take place throughout the year that all have free admission. Click here to learn more about Peddler’s Village.

Pennsylvania is known for many things, though debatably, the covered bridge is the most iconic. There are a variety of covered bridge tours available for download that will offer you driving directions as well as plenty of information and fun facts about all of the sights along the way. Click here for a self-guided covered bridges driving tour in Buck County.

Alex Harden/Flickr

(Editor’s Note: Martin Guitar Factory is not currently offering tours due to Covid-19. In the meantime, check for updates on the website.) At no charge, take a tour of the factory where these beautiful musical instruments are manufactured and browse of a fascinating museum of guitars. Visit the Martin Guitar website for more information.

Allie_Caulfield/Flickr

Every year, hundreds of fishermen catch trout from the Little Lehigh River, but you might not have thought about where they come from. The fish hatchery in Allentown hatches and raises trout to be released into the river. Use the signage for a self-guided tour. Walk around the facility and gawk at the fish, or admire the taxidermy collection in the office building. Click here to learn more about the Lil’-Le-Hi Trout Nursery.

Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem/Facebook

Moravian Book Shop is not only the oldest continuously running book shop in the world, but it is also massive and definitely worth a visit, whether you’re a book-lover or not. Click here for a more information on the Moravian Book Shop.

“TheCoffeePot” by Jeff Kubina from Columbia, Maryland - The Coffee Pot (Bedford, Pennsylvania)Uploaded by kubina. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

This gigantic coffee pot, known as the Koontz Coffee Pot, has more history behind it than you may think. It was built in 1927 and has decorated the landscape of Bedford in one form or another since then.

“FrickMansionClayton” by Lee Paxton (Original uploader was Leepaxton at en.wikipedia) - Photo by Lee PaxtonTransferred from en.wikipedia(Original text : self-made). Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The restored Clayton Mansion, the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, and the Greenhouse are all the legacy of Henry Clay Frick, a famous industrialist and art collector. Even better, admission to the complex of museums is free. Visit The Frick Pittsburgh website for more information.

Michael Righi/Flickr

The iconic Independence Hall is open to the public, as is the Liberty Bell which is housed next door. Click here for more information on visiting Philadelphia’s Independence Hall.

kaige/Flickr

(Editor’s Note: Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site is not currently offering tours due to COVID-19. In the meantime, check for updates on the website.) Tour the house where America’s most popular gothic author resided and wrote. Visit the Edgar Allen Poe Historic Site webpage for more information.

Hector Rodriguez/Flickr

Everyone knows that Zippo is the premiere manufacturer of lighters. Explore their expansive museum of lighters and case knives that includes exhibitions about Zippo’s contributions to WWII and about Zippo lighters in Hollywood. Visit the Zippo/Case Museum website for more information.

And for more budget-friendly fun in Pennsylvania, be sure to check out these inexpensive road trips!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: 905 Line St, Easton, PA 18042, USAAddress: 2857 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572, USAAddress: 2 Mark Bird Ln, Elverson, PA 19520, USAAddress: 3014 N Reading Rd, Adamstown, PA 19501, USAAddress: 100 Peddlers Village, New Hope, PA 18938, USAAddress: Bucks County, PA, USAAddress: 510 Sycamore St, Nazareth, PA 18064, USAAddress: 2901 Fish Hatchery Rd, Allentown, PA 18103, USAAddress: 428 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018, USAAddress: 108 Telegraph Rd, Bedford, PA 15522, USAAddress: 7227 Reynolds St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208, USAAddress: 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USAAddress: 532 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123, USAAddress: 1932 Zippo Dr, Bradford, PA 16701, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Free Things In Pennsylvania March 17, 2021 Melissa Mahoney What are the best road trips to take in Pennsylvania? Road trips are usually a cost-effective way to travel and there are plenty of places throughout the state to visit by car. From state parks and the Appalachian Mountains to museums and small rural towns in Amish country, you can take a day trip without spending much money. Read our article, 11 Inexpensive Road Trip Destinations In Pennsylvania That Won’t Break The Bank for some ideas. What are some family-friendly places in Pennsylvania? The commonwealth of Pennsylvania is home to endless fun-filled activities for the entire family to enjoy. Hershey Park is always a fantastic place to take kids because who doesn’t like rides or chocolate? A camping trip is a great family bonding activity and for kids to learn about and explore nature.  Or take a day trip to one of many kid-friendly museums or zoos around the state. And for more ideas, be sure to check out the above list of free things to do in Pennsylvania! What are the best hidden gems to visit in Pennsylvania? There’s something so special about visiting hidden gems somewhere. Maybe it’s a place only locals know about or one that’s so tucked away it’s hard for anyone to find. Or perhaps it’s a place that’s new and has yet to be discovered by the masses. Either way, the state has plenty of these hidden places to visit, some of which can be found in our 8 Hidden Gems In Pennsylvania That You Had No Idea Existed post.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Free Things In Pennsylvania

March 17, 2021

Melissa Mahoney

What are the best road trips to take in Pennsylvania? Road trips are usually a cost-effective way to travel and there are plenty of places throughout the state to visit by car. From state parks and the Appalachian Mountains to museums and small rural towns in Amish country, you can take a day trip without spending much money. Read our article, 11 Inexpensive Road Trip Destinations In Pennsylvania That Won’t Break The Bank for some ideas. What are some family-friendly places in Pennsylvania? The commonwealth of Pennsylvania is home to endless fun-filled activities for the entire family to enjoy. Hershey Park is always a fantastic place to take kids because who doesn’t like rides or chocolate? A camping trip is a great family bonding activity and for kids to learn about and explore nature.  Or take a day trip to one of many kid-friendly museums or zoos around the state. And for more ideas, be sure to check out the above list of free things to do in Pennsylvania! What are the best hidden gems to visit in Pennsylvania? There’s something so special about visiting hidden gems somewhere. Maybe it’s a place only locals know about or one that’s so tucked away it’s hard for anyone to find. Or perhaps it’s a place that’s new and has yet to be discovered by the masses. Either way, the state has plenty of these hidden places to visit, some of which can be found in our 8 Hidden Gems In Pennsylvania That You Had No Idea Existed post.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Road trips are usually a cost-effective way to travel and there are plenty of places throughout the state to visit by car. From state parks and the Appalachian Mountains to museums and small rural towns in Amish country, you can take a day trip without spending much money. Read our article, 11 Inexpensive Road Trip Destinations In Pennsylvania That Won’t Break The Bank for some ideas.

What are some family-friendly places in Pennsylvania?

The commonwealth of Pennsylvania is home to endless fun-filled activities for the entire family to enjoy. Hershey Park is always a fantastic place to take kids because who doesn’t like rides or chocolate? A camping trip is a great family bonding activity and for kids to learn about and explore nature.  Or take a day trip to one of many kid-friendly museums or zoos around the state. And for more ideas, be sure to check out the above list of free things to do in Pennsylvania!

What are the best hidden gems to visit in Pennsylvania?

There’s something so special about visiting hidden gems somewhere. Maybe it’s a place only locals know about or one that’s so tucked away it’s hard for anyone to find. Or perhaps it’s a place that’s new and has yet to be discovered by the masses. Either way, the state has plenty of these hidden places to visit, some of which can be found in our 8 Hidden Gems In Pennsylvania That You Had No Idea Existed post.